College Prep

With a sprawling campus, top-tier academic offerings, and Division I sports teams, the University of California, Los Angeles is a top choice for many high school students.

With a location in the heart of New York City and a plethora of renowned programs and internship opportunities, it’s easy to understand why New York University is a top choice on many students’ best-fit lists. As a result, New York University is also a highly competitive college, with acceptance rates falling to approximately 12% in recent years.

Dartmouth, like many colleges and universities, invites applicants to interview. However, these interviews are not conducted by the admissions committee but alumni volunteers. The college does not offer campus interviews. 

If you’re invited to an interview, it’s perfectly normal to be nervous. Being prepared can help boost your confidence, so keep reading to learn what to expect and for tips on acing the interview. 

UCLA is part of the University of California system, which is comprised of 10 campuses throughout the state. Students applying to UCLA must use the UC application — the University of California system does not use the Common App or Coalition Application. The application process includes several personal statement prompts, or what UC refers to as personal insight questions. Keep reading to learn more about these prompts and tips for responding to them.   

Achieving a “good” GPA is a common goal for many high school students, but what does that really mean? How are GPAs calculated, and why is this number so important for college applications and future opportunities? We’ll explore the factors that contribute to a strong academic record to help you understand how to put your best foot forward.

The mystique surrounding Ivy League institutions often leads to the belief that only students with top accolades stand a chance of admission. And while achieving a national award or two can certainly impress an admissions committee, it is not a requirement. Understanding the Ivy League requirements for admission can help you focus on building both a strong academic and extracurricular profile.

Why are ACT scores important for college admissions? For starters, they provide a standardized measure to compare students from different schools and backgrounds. Your scores also help admissions committees determine your academic readiness for college and are often used for course placement and awarding merit scholarships. Standardized test scores also help with institutional rankings.

The college admissions process is now more competitive than ever before. Applicant numbers are consistently rising at colleges across the country, so it’s important to do everything you can to ensure your application is as competitive as possible. But to be competitive, you also need to understand how college applications are reviewed and what factors into admission decisions.

If you’re applying to college this fall, you can (and should!) be thinking about and getting a head start on your applications — even though most don’t open until mid-summer. Let’s look at the application timeline and why starting early is crucial. We also offer some college application tips to maximize your chances of success.

If you’re a college-bound high school student, you are likely already aware that it’s important to build a strong profile for college admissions. Colleges want you to demonstrate on your application how you developed and deepened your academic interests throughout high school. A good way to do this is through academic enrichment.